Summer Ski
League

Ready to take your skiing to the next level? We can help!

In an effort to increase participation in our summer tournaments
series, and grow the sport of competitive water skiing, we
are adding a “Summer Ski League” designed to help the recreational
skier make the transition from the open water to the world
of competitive skiing!

Who:

Existing Slalom Skiers capable of getting up and crossing
the wake with confidence who want to test themselves on and
conquer the slalom course. To participate, you must join the
Capital Area Water Ski Club. If you have questions regarding
whether or not your skill level is appropriate, please contact
our coordinator:Toni
Bondonzi @ 512-769-2762.

When:

Wednesday evenings 6pm-dusk.
Click Here to pre-register for each evening!
Although "walk ins" are always welcome, we highly recommend
pre-registration so that event coordinators can plan accordingly.

2014 Schedule

Month

Wednesday/Thursday

Ski
League Site

April

04/23/2014

Aquaplex

May

05/07/2014

SMRR

May

05/21/2014

Frameswitch

June

06/04/2014

Aquaplex

June

06/18/2014

SMRR

July

07/09/2014

Frameswitch

July

07/30/2014

SMRR

August

08/06/2014

Frameswitch

August

08/20/2014

Aquaplex

September

09/03/2014

SMRR, 5:30p

September

09/17/2014

Frameswitch, 5:30p

Where:

Sessions will rotate per the calendar above across three
private ski lakes: Frameswitch
(near Hutto), San
Marcos River Ranch (near Martindale), and Austin
Aquaplex (near Buda). Click on the site names for Google
maps. . An email will be sent out to all interested parties
before each event outlining exactly what lake and dock we
will be meeting at that evening.

Requirements:

For liability reasons, skiers must pay for USA Water Ski
coverage. Options include a day pass, or year-long memberships.

You must also be a member of the Capital Area Water Ski club.

For each ski ride, there will be a small fee to cover gas,
driver/coaching/safety officials, lake access, boat usage.

Fees:

Cash or check will be accepted on site. Memebership applications
(AWSA and CAWSC) will be available on site if needed. Please
bring exact change whenever possible.

Contact Us:

Info About the Slalom Course:

How is the slalom course laid out?
The buoys are arranged into a course of six turns that the
skier must complete. There is a pair of buoys at the beginning
and end of the course that serve as entrance and exit gates.
The skier begins each pass at the course by skiing through
the entrance gates on his or her way to the first turn buoy.
Then the skier continues through the course rounding each
of the six turn buoys, finally skiing through the exit gate
buoys. The gate buoys are also in line with a series of centerline
buoys that serves a boat path guide buoys.

How fast should I ski? First time in the course?
For open-water skiing, skiers should ski at a speed that is
comfortable to them. This may be between 24 MPH to 34 MPH.
This again is dependent upon the weight of the skier. However,
for the first time in the slalom course, many people should
ski the course at the slowest speed that he or she can comfortably
cross the wakes and make turns without sinking. For average
size men, this speed ranges from 26 MPH to 32 MPH. For average
size women, the best speeds are between 24 MPH to 28 MPH.
Many times advanced open-water skiers (never skied a course)
have progressed to speed well above those used in the course.
For men, the top speed used in the slalom course is 36 MPH
and for women the top speed is 34 MPH. When they attempt the
course for the first time, the speed should be lowered considerably
to the ranges listed above. The most advanced open-water skier
will be surprised at the challenge initially presented by
the course.

What is the proper technique for skiing the course?
Technique is the absolute most important factor for success
in the slalom course. Many skiers who have accumulated many
years of skiing in open water have attained some habits that
are counterproductive in the slalom course. You should note
that in the slalom course, the goal is to cross the wakes
as fast as possible then slow the ski down quickly and make
a tight turn and head back to the other side.

Things that make a successful trip through the course:* Standing tall and strong on
the ski even while leaning, crossing the wake, turning
* Weight (hips, shoulders, head) centered above both of your
feet (stacked)
* Carving the turn until the ski moves back around between
you and the boat
* Starting across the wake with easy effort, then progressively
adding counter-effort as the boat's force increases
* Arms straight with elbows tucked to the vest while leaning
across the wakes
* Legs strong and tall with your rear tucked up and in while
crossing the wakes
* Stay fluid and smooth with all of your actions and movements

The most typically present "bad" habits include:
* Leaning back or digging in with your back foot especially
at the end of the turn
* Cranking the end of the turn, forcing or rushing the end
of the turn
* Pulling in on the rope with your arms
* Easing off your effort as you cross the boat wakes, stopping
the lean and bouncing
* Keeping knees straight especially as you change edges before
the turn and during the turn
* Excessive leg/knee bend or squatting when leaning and crossing
the wakes
* Jerky or abrupt movements and actions

As you should notice, these bad habits involve body position
and the timing of effort. The proper body position for the
slalom course includes:
* Shoulders back and chest out as in military attention
* Ankles bent (knees will bend slightly on their own)
* Hips are pushed & locked forward, butt tucked in and
lower back arched
* Weight is evenly distributed on both feet or with slightly
more on the front foot
* Head is up looking at the horizon (not down at the water)
* Arms are kept straight as an extension of the rope
* Elbows tucked in near or touching the vest, handle low